CLEMSON — Clemson looks to get off the mat when it hosts Appalachian State Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
The 25 th -ranked Tigers looked flat and uninspired in its season-opening loss to top-ranked Georgia last week. They will try to use a sell-out crowd in Death Valley to inspire them against the Mountaineers.
The Tigers have lost just three games since late 2013 at Memorial Stadium and own a 65-3 (.956) home record in the College Football Playoff era.
Clemson will put that mark to the test when it hosts App State in its home opener. Coming back home for their first of seven this season is exactly what the doctor ordered for a Clemson team that might be doubting itself.
Head coach Dabo Swinney is hoping a packed Death Valley will get the Tigers on track.
“That is how important our crowd is. Our crowd is awesome,” he said. “The environment is awesome. It makes a difference.”
App State at No. 25 Clemson
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ACC
Spread: Clemson -17
Over/Under: 52.5
Series: Clemson leads series 5-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Clemson is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start since the 1975 season. The 1982 Tigers were winless in the first two weeks of that season. However, after losing to Georgia in the season opener, they tied Boston College, 17-17, in Week 2. The 1975 Tigers lost their first four games of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson’s running game needs to get going this week. The Tigers managed just 46 yards on the ground last week, though those numbers can be misleading. Running back Phil Mafah ran for 59 yards on 16 carries and averaged nearly four yards per carry. Keith Adams had a six-yard run on his only carry. Clemson finished with just 23 carries in the game. The Tigers should have stuck with the running game more, which they will need to do this week. App State is bulkier up front compared to past years and will line up to shut down the Clemson running game. However, the Tigers need to stick with the run and allow Mafah and its big offensive line to wear down the Mountaineers.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
After beginning his second straight season with a touchdown throw on his first pass attempt of the year, App State quarterback Joey Aguilar finished with 326 yards passing, two touchdown throws and two rushing touchdowns in the Mountaineers’ 38-10 win over East Tennessee State in last week’s opener. He is the nation’s only returning quarterback who had 33-plus touchdown passes and 3,700-plus passing yards in 2023.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (3,683) needs 317 passing yards to become the 12th player in Clemson history to reach 4,000 career passing yards. He needs (3,987) 239 combined passing and rushing yards to enter the Top 15 in Clemson history in total yards. Former Clemson great DeChane Cameron presently ranks 15th (4,226 from 1988-91). Klubnik is also 324 yards shy of Kelly Bryant (4,311 from 2015-18) for 14 th place.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson is attempting to win its 21st consecutive home opener. A win would extend Clemson’s longest winning streak in home openers of all-time, ahead of its 17 from 1944-‘60.- Clemson is attempting to improve to 99-17-8 in home openers.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Clemson can’t let Georgia beat them twice. The Tigers should be able to run the football with Phil Mafah, which in turn will open up the passing game. But can the Clemson receivers get open and have a better effort than they had against Georgia? The Clemson defense will have its hand full trying to limit quarterback Joey Aguilar. However, you have to feel the Tigers will be mad on defense and will be looking to prove last week’s performance in Atlanta was a fluke.
PREDICTION
Clemson 35, App. State 17
Local News
Comments / 0